The world’s oldest Classic race celebrates its 250th anniversary alongside the United States’ own quadricentennial, a rarity in sport where few contests endure for centuries. As the Betfred St Leger returns for another special edition this Saturday, the big question is which horse will claim the title. First, it is heartening to see the Derby winner Christmas Day entered in the field. Achieving the Derby‑Leger double is an uncommon feat; even legendary Shergar managed only a fourth‑place finish in the St Leger, and Camelot fell just short of a Triple Crown a few years ago.
The Leger is a demanding test – a furlong and a half shy of two miles – requiring a blend of stamina and genuine speed. Only a handful of recent champions, such as Never Say Die, St Paddy, Nijinsky and Reference Point, have backed up a Derby triumph with a Leger victory, so Christmas Day faces a steep challenge.
His main rival appears to be stablemate Pierre Bonnard, also trained by Aidan O'Brien. O'Brien is hunting his tenth Leger win, but his own son Joseph, who trains the race favourite Enceladus, may prove a formidable obstacle. Jockey: Sean Levey | Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Action, a close relative of last year’s Derby winner Lambourn, has a respectable résumé – a third‑place finish to Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge Stakes and a runner‑up spot behind Hawk Mountain in the Group 1 Futurity.
He also improved from a fourth in the Sandown Classic Trial to finish strongly behind the future Juddmonte star Item in the Dante at York. Unfortunately, his Derby run was compromised by an overly eager ride with brand‑new cheekpieces, and he has since been consigned to pacemaking duties in the Irish Derby, King George, and the Juddmonte. In the most recent of those races he failed to get a clean break and was left trailing, a worrying sign for a horse expected to stay the longer distance of the Leger. He could benefit from a more supportive hand on his powerful shoulders.
Rider: Rossa Ryan | Trainer: Richard Hannon Alderman impressed many observers in the Derby, finishing a close fifth (potentially fourth with a better finish) behind Christmas Day and a solid two‑and‑a‑half lengths ahead of Rebel Rocker. However, his form dipped dramatically in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket on firm ground, where he was the last of five finishers.
He remains a talented five‑race maiden, and soft ground – as seen in the Derby – would suit him better. Even with a rain‑enhanced track, he still has a steep climb ahead to be competitive in the St Leger.
Trainer: Ronan Whelan | Owner: Aidan O'Brien Lambourn, last year’s Derby victor, failed to replicate his performance here, finishing fourth. The last horse to win both the Derby and the St Leger was Reference Point in 1987, and that double remains elusive. Christmas Day looks the most likely candidate to break the drought, especially if the Town Moor receives a good shower. His Derby win on soft ground was decisive, beating the Arc‑target Maltese Cross by nearly three lengths – arguably the strongest form on the card.
Although he was beaten in the Irish Derby, he stayed on valiantly, finishing a neck behind Benvenuto Cellini and ahead of Pierre Bonnard. The same form pattern repeated in the Great Voltigeur, where Bonnard reversed the placings after receiving a five‑pound allowance from the Derby winner. Christmas Day has shown remarkable consistency all season and appears capable of handling the St Leger distance, even if he does not improve further. Jockey: Billy Loughnane | Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Enceladus, a big, long‑striding colt, remains unbeaten as a three‑year‑old and seems to improve with each run.
His King George V Handicap win at Royal Ascot received a substantial boost in form after a dominant Group 3 Gordon Stakes victory at Goodwood, where he displayed a crisp turn of foot in the final furlong, albeit with a tendency to drift right. The addition of cheekpieces for today should help him stay focused. It has been six years since Joseph O'Brien claimed his first St Leger with Galileo Chrome, and this season’s abundance of quality suggests he could add another classic to his record with this son of Sea The Stars.
Enceladus’s half‑brother has already proven his staying ability over a mile and six furlongs, adding confidence to his pedigree. He arrives fresher than most rivals and may still have room to improve. Unfortunately, jockey Billy Loughnane will be riding the iconic Niarchos silks after Dylan Brown McMonagle’s injury at Bellewstown.
Jockey: Danny Tudhope | Trainer: Andrew Balding Andrew Balding’s hopeful, who broke his maiden at Chester’s Boodles May Festival, was the favourite for the Queen’s Vase but could manage only sixth behind Limestone. A respectable second in the Bahrain Trophy hinted at progress, yet a heavy defeat in the Great Voltigeur suggests he may have overexerted himself. Even with newly fitted cheekpieces, it will be difficult for him to turn the tide in a race of this magnitude. Jockey: Clifford Lee | Trainer: Karl Burke Clifford Lee is among the least publicised entries, having won two of his four starts, including a narrow victory over Del Maro in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.
However, his momentum stalled in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was overly keen and faded in the home straight. His full brother Arabian Force stays well over a mile and six furlongs, but Lee still needs to settle his temperament and make a significant leap in ability to compete at the St Leger level. Jockey: David Probert | Trainer: Andrew Balding Probert’s mount has a modest record – one win from six starts – but that victory came in a comfortable mile‑and‑a‑half race in July.
A subsequent clear second in a valuable Goodwood handicap shows promise, yet as the lowest‑rated runner in the field, he faces a steep uphill battle to stay the distance against seasoned stayers. Jockey: Saffie Osborne | Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Saffie Osborne rides Enceladus’s stablemate, a colt who has undergone a remarkable transformation.
After unremarkable early outings over six‑and‑a‑half furlongs to a mile, he shocked the market with a 250‑to‑1 win at Naas over a mile, then stretched out to almost a mile and a half at Killarney, winning by nine lengths. He followed that with a 22‑to‑1 victory in the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown over a mile and six furlongs, finishing strongly with his characteristic high head carriage. These performances demonstrate that he can stay the distance and may still have untapped potential.
Paired with Osborne, he could write a new chapter in St Leger history, though he will need to find extra reserves to beat the top‑class opposition. Jockey: Wayne Lordan | Trainer: Aidan O'Brien The most seasoned runner in the field, Lordan’s mount showed his stamina at two by winning the Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 1 Critérium de Saint‑Cloud over a mile and a quarter. He handled both good‑to‑firm and testing ground, suggesting versatility. After a patchy start to the season, including a seventh‑place finish in the Derby, he has improved, finishing a neck behind Christmas Day in the Irish Derby and then reversing that form in the Great Voltigeur, where he gave Maltese Cross a serious challenge.
His dam’s half‑sister placed third in the Park Hill, adding further stamina credentials. He is likely to stay the trip and could be in contention if the pace suits him.
Jockey: Jason Watson | Trainer: Faye Bramley Watson rides a relatively unexposed colt who showed promise with a well‑held sixth in the Derby and a comparable effort in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. His dam’s pedigree suggests stamina, but the St Leger will test the limits of his ability. Jockey: Tom Marquand | Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Marquand rides the only filly in the lineup, a former Listed Cheshire Oaks winner who has struggled to make an impact in Group company, finishing unplaced in both the Epsom and Curragh Oaks. She faded in the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood over a mile and six furlongs, surprising many given her breeding for longer trips.
However, she performed better in the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork over a mile and a half, indicating she may still find the right conditions to thrive. Overall outlook: Enceladus arrives on a wave of confidence for Joseph O'Brien, whose season has been nothing short of spectacular.
If he can maintain his upward trajectory, he could become the first European Classic winner for the Niarchos family since Study Of Man’s French Derby triumph in 2018, and it would mark Billy Loughnane’s second Classic victory. Christmas Day remains a consistent performer and, if the ground is soft, could repeat his Derby success, though Pierre Bonnard may again prove a thorn in his side. Highwayman is another intriguing prospect likely to finish in the top four, as the O’Brien stable appears poised to dominate the race. The St Leger promises a thrilling mix of proven classics, emerging talent, and seasoned stayers, all vying for a place in racing history.